Embracing Winter Wellness: A Personal Journey with Ayurveda and Yoga

As winter wraps us in its chilly embrace, I've been on a journey of self-discovery and wellness, navigating the season with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and the grounding practice of yoga. So, let's dive into my personal winter wellness guide, filled with cozy remedies and soul-warming yoga postures.

Ayurvedic Elixirs to Banish Winter Blues:

Turmeric Elixir: Picture this – a warm hug in a cup. Blend a teaspoon of turmeric powder with velvety almond milk and a drizzle of honey. It's not just a drink; it's a comforting ritual, boosting your immunity and soothing the soul.

Ginger and Lemon Tea: The ultimate cold warrior. Boil fresh ginger slices, squeeze in some zesty lemon, and sweeten with a dollop of honey. Trust me; it's liquid warmth that eases congestion and gives a natural energy kick.

Oil Pulling: Morning routine, meet ancient Ayurvedic magic. Swish a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes. It's like a spa day for your mouth, promoting oral health and detoxifying your body.

Yoga Bliss for Winter Warmth:

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations): My mornings kick off with these sun-soaked beauties. A flowing sequence that not only wakes up the body but also improves circulation and flexibility. It's like greeting the day with a warm embrace.

Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath): Breathe audibly, my friend. Engage in Ujjayi breathing during your practice, enhancing lung capacity and building internal heat. It's like a cozy internal blanket.

Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): Winter is all about balance. Stand tall like a tree, grounding yourself. Strengthen those legs, open up that chest, and let stability seep into your winter days.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Counteract the winter hunch. This gentle backbend not only alleviates tension in the spine and chest but also opens up space for winter inspiration to flow.

My Winter Wellness Revelation:

Let me share a little story from my recent cold encounter. Recognizing that everything is energy, Instead of rushing to the store for shop brought meds, I decided to slow down. I made my own tumeric elixir invested my energy and spent time brewing the medicine, embraced a slow gentle restorative practice to be with my body including the aches and pains without judgement but simply presence, relishing the benefits of a more deliberate pace. It also allowed me space away from the studio and head space, with the studio pleasantly flourishing this has led me like many of us to get a bit caught up in the doing and neglecting being. we are human beings after all. I frequently talk in practice about the quiet moments in meditation the space in between the thoughts are where creative ideas intuition & inner wisdom resides. I have not had a cold in years and so unlike when we usually get unwell and falling in to the trap of pushing it away I chose to be curious about it, and I could instantly feel the releasing and restorative benefits of the dripping nose and bed full of tissues. Despite the annoyance of having a cold I felt lighter and clearer and more open. As if everything happens for a reason and the cold was a call to action I suddenly had the idea to organize a retreat. In a day, everything fell into place. Calls were answered, stars aligned, and voila – a luxury retreat was born. Funny how a common cold sparked a intuitive journey.

Adalusian Beach

So here's to embracing radiant health, cozy winter vibes, and the magic of Ayurveda and yoga. Let's make this winter our warmest one yet!